Food Allergy?

Question
I have been getting gas, softer stools, and strong stomach pain every few days recently, and i was wondering if it might be a food allergy of some kind. Can you give me a list of common foods that can have this effect?
Thanks
Sarah

Answer
Hello Sarah!

   Thank you for your great nutrition question.  Food allergies result from an abnormal response after eating certain foods. An 揳llergen?is the part of the food which is responsible for producing the allergic reaction.  The food allergen reacts with the body's immune system and produces the allergic symptoms.
    Common allergenic foods are listed below. Allergies to egg and cow's milk may disappear during childhood while allergies to nuts, legumes, fish and seafood may last a life time. The amount of allergen that produces an allergic reaction varies but can be very small.


cow's milk  seafood (shrimp, crab)  
eggs fish
peanuts peanuts
soybeans  soy beans
nuts nuts  
wheat   


Symptoms experienced during allergic reactions to foods involve the respiratory tract (runny nose, difficulty breathing, wheezing and tightening of the throat), the skin (swelling, hives, and rash), and the gastrointestinal tract (cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting). Usually symptoms are not serious. However, in certain circumstance a severe allergic reaction called 揳naphylaxis?can cause death. Anphylaxsis produces body wide effects. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include rash, swelling and tightening of the throat, low blood pressure, irregular heart beat, and GI distress (nausea, vomiting diarrhea, abdominal cramps). These symptom usually begin within a few minutes after exposure. Seek treatment immediately. Allergic reactions to foods can occur within a few minutes to an hour after eating.


Let me know if you have more questions.

-George Rapitis, Nutritionist
http://www.juiceblend.com  

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